The Legal Light Justin Stack Scam warning over teenage ban on social media As if coping with the ban on teenagers under 16 having access to social media wasn't enough, there is now an official warning that scammers are targeting teens trying to find ways to get around the ban. From 10 December 2025 the major social media platforms are restricted by law to people aged 16 and over. Companies such as Facebook, Tik Tok, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, Twitch, X and YouTube are required by the government under threat of massive penalties to take "reasonable steps" to prevent Australians under 16 from having accounts on their platforms. Teens aren't completely cut off. Those under 16 can still stay connected by using accounts on a range of messaging apps and platforms such as WhatsApp and Messenger, which are not age restricted. Under-16s will not be in trouble with the law if they still have a social media account after December 10, but the platform could face penalties up to $49.5 million if it doesn't take reasonable steps to prevent underage accounts. However, Marni Kennedy at Stacks Law Firm says the government's Scamwatch website has issued an alert that criminal scammers may try to take advantage of young teens and their families by tricking them into handing over sensitive personal information. "With many young people reporting a sense of isolation because of the ban, they become the perfect target for scammers. The organisation warns scammers may pretend to be a social media platform or age verification provider and ask youngsters to verify their age or risk losing their account. "The scammers could also target family or friends of the teen, asking them to provide personal information so that they can verify a person's age. "The scammers may try scare tactics, by pretending to be from the government or the police, saying you have breached the new laws and will be fined unless you provide proof of age, such as passport, birth certificate or driving licence details. "They could offer fake IDs or age-verified accounts to use for a fee. Once the scammers have someone's private information, they can use it to break into bank accounts, PayPal or money transfer outlets." Ms Kennedy says it is important to be able to identify suspicious emails. Generic greetings, urgent language and poor grammar are all red flags. Check the sender's email address and never contact the sender through a phone number they have provided via email. Never be rushed into making any payments or sharing information quickly, even if it is a family member saying they are in trouble and need money. STACKS LAW FIRM Joshua Crowther Specialist in Wills, Estates & Wealth Protection 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life The Legal Light Justin Stack Scam warning over teenage ban on social media As if coping with the ban on teenagers under 16 having access to social media wasn't enough , there is now an official warning that scammers are targeting teens trying to find ways to get around the ban . From 10 December 2025 the major social media platforms are restricted by law to people aged 16 and over . Companies such as Facebook , Tik Tok , Instagram , Kick , Reddit , Snapchat , Threads , Twitch , X and YouTube are required by the government under threat of massive penalties to take " reasonable steps " to prevent Australians under 16 from having accounts on their platforms . Teens aren't completely cut off . Those under 16 can still stay connected by using accounts on a range of messaging apps and platforms such as WhatsApp and Messenger , which are not age restricted . Under - 16s will not be in trouble with the law if they still have a social media account after December 10 , but the platform could face penalties up to $ 49.5 million if it doesn't take reasonable steps to prevent underage accounts . However , Marni Kennedy at Stacks Law Firm says the government's Scamwatch website has issued an alert that criminal scammers may try to take advantage of young teens and their families by tricking them into handing over sensitive personal information . " With many young people reporting a sense of isolation because of the ban , they become the perfect target for scammers . The organisation warns scammers may pretend to be a social media platform or age verification provider and ask youngsters to verify their age or risk losing their account . " The scammers could also target family or friends of the teen , asking them to provide personal information so that they can verify a person's age . " The scammers may try scare tactics , by pretending to be from the government or the police , saying you have breached the new laws and will be fined unless you provide proof of age , such as passport , birth certificate or driving licence details . " They could offer fake IDs or age - verified accounts to use for a fee . Once the scammers have someone's private information , they can use it to break into bank accounts , PayPal or money transfer outlets . " Ms Kennedy says it is important to be able to identify suspicious emails . Generic greetings , urgent language and poor grammar are all red flags . Check the sender's email address and never contact the sender through a phone number they have provided via email . Never be rushed into making any payments or sharing information quickly , even if it is a family member saying they are in trouble and need money . STACKS LAW FIRM Joshua Crowther Specialist in Wills , Estates & Wealth Protection 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life